The Ultimate Poultry Care – Natural Remedies’ Kolin Plus is a greener alternative to choline chloride. It aids fat mobilization, fat metabolism and muscle growth!
Choline is a vital micronutrient essential for the growth and production of the swine and poultry birds. It plays various roles like lipid metabolism and transport, neurotransmission, phosphatidylcholine synthesis, donor of methyl group etc.
As birds are inefficient in synthesizing adequate amount of choline, their diets need to be supplemented with this nutrient. Choline chloride 60% (CC 60%) is a synthetic feed additive widely used in the ration of the swine and birds, although, it exerts many disadvantages like low absorption rate, interaction with other nutrients, production of trimethylamine (TMA) in gastrointestinal (GI) system of the birds causing respiratory distress, raising feed cost etc.
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KOLIN PLUS is a greener replacement of Choline Chloride 60% manufactured by M/s Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, India. Several experimental models in poultry birds corroborated the efficacy of KOLIN PLUS in enhancing the broiler performance. In an artificially induced choline deficient (CD) model, the Cobb birds were randomized into four groups viz. i) Normal control (1206 ppm intrinsic choline), ii) CD (1036 ppm intrinsic choline), iii) CD + CC 60% (choline deficient + choline chloride 60%) and iv) CD + KOLIN PLUS (choline deficient + KOLIN PLUS). The induced CD model was developed by replacing a part of soyabean meal of broiler diet by soya protein isolate. The study result showed that KOLIN PLUS reversed the negative performance induced by CD diet as that of CC 60% in broilers (Table 1).
Table 1: Performance validation in induced CD model
In addition, a standard model of natural choline deficiency model was utilised wherein the Ross broilers were allotted into 3 groups viz. Normal control (N), N + Choline chloride (CC) 60% and N + KOLIN PLUS. The birds of Normal control group were fed ration without choline supplement. The study outcome exerted that addition of KOLIN PLUS in the diet of the broiler birds having natural choline deficiency improved the body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as equivalent with the CC 60% supplemented group (Table 2).
Table 2: Performance validation at standard model
KOLIN PLUS shows evidence for improved performance in both artificially induced and natural CD models. It may be due to its significant role in fat metabolism, mobilization, and optimum muscle growth. Further, it is as effective as the feed additive CC 60% even at lower dosage than CC 60% in case of both poultry and swine. Hence, KOLIN PLUS is cost effective and offers better feed economics. Moreover, it is bioavailable, compatible, non-corrosive and safe. Hence, it is an appropriate replacement of synthetic CC 60% in swine and poultry ration.
References
1. Selvam R, Saravanakumar M, Suresh S, Chandrasekeran C V., Prashanth D. Evaluation of polyherbal formulation and synthetic choline chloride on choline deficiency model in broilers: Implications on zootechnical parameters, serum biochemistry and liver histopathology. Asian-Australasian J Anim Sci. 2018;31(11):1795-1806. doi:10.5713/ajas.18.0018.
2. Parsons CM, Leeper RW. Choline and methionine supplementation of layer diets varying in protein content. Poult Sci. 1984;63(8):1604-1609. doi:10.3382/ps.0631604.
3. D’souza, P., & Selvam, R. (2022). Evaluation of polyherbal formulation in broilers fed high energy diet: Implications on zootechnical parameters, fat accretion, and serum L-carnitine levels. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 9(1), 166.
4. Prashanth D'Souza, Saravanakumar Marimuthu, Arigesavan Kaninathan, Ramasamy Selvam. Modulatory effect of Kolin PlusTM, a polyherbal formulation on muscle growth development in choline deficient diet model of broilers: a genomic analysis using microarray. Int J Sci Rep. 2019 Dec;5(12):344-350
ZENEX Animal Health Wins Corporate Leadership Award at the 2nd India Animal Summit, organised on 26th July 2023 at New Delhi
The 2nd India Animal Health Summit was held on 26th July 2023 at New Delhi. The summit was inaugurated by Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD, Dr J K Jena, DDG (Animal Science), ICAR, Mr David Pine, High Commissioner, New Zealand, Dr Tarun Sridhar, Former Secretary, DAHD, GOI, and Prof. KML Pathak, Former DDG, ICAR & Ex VC DUVASU.
Followed by the inaugural session, four panel discussions took place on different topics related to animal health sector.
In one of the panel discussions on ‘Animal Health for One Health Management’, Dr Arun Atrey, MD & CEO, Zenex Animal Health joined as panelist. Other panelist in session were Dr Praveen Malik, CEO, Agriinnovate, Mr Stanely Fenwick, Technical Lead for One Health, Mott Macdonald, Dr A Sahoo, Director, NRC Camel, ICAR and Dr Avinash Anand, CEO &MD, Sheep & wool Dev Board. The session addressed various initiatives of Govt., industry and other organizations for creating awareness and implementation of One Health.
Dr. Arun Atrey presented his thoughts on the antimicrobial usage in Indian Animal Healthcare and INFAH’s recent publication of white paper on the subject. Dr Atrey highlighted antibiotic usage pattern in animal healthcare globally and its probable impact on AMR in human. During the deliberation, he also mentioned the AH industry’s effort for rational use of antibiotics as well as use of alternatives like probiotics, ayurvedic products etc.
Ludhiana (Punjab), India, 28 July 2023: A meeting was convened between the administration of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University(GADVASU) under the leadership of Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Satender Singh Arya, Chief Executive Officer ofAgricultural Skill Council of India(ASCI), regarding the development of livestock, poultry and fisheries-based skill ecosystem in the Vet Varsity.
Dr. Arya made a comprehensive presentation depicting the skill-based infrastructure, councils, policies, courses and organizations working under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India in general and ASCI in particular. He highlighted the importance of skills in the coming years and focused that the academic institutions must align with ASCI for starting up new courses based on the skill-set required for upcoming years. He emphasized that joint certification will aid in enhancing the market value of a trainee and equip him for better employment opportunities.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh revealed about the various diploma courses, short courses, certificate courses and advanced training courses of the University. He stated that new courses are also being developed by various colleges of the University keeping in view the needs of the society. The future collaboration of ASCI and Vet Varsity for development of vocational and skill-based courses will help students, farmers and other stakeholders in the farming sector for gaining contemporary skills and enhancing their employability.
Dr. P.S. Brar, Director of Extension Education, highlighted various offline and online courses developed by the University for skilling various stakeholders engaged in livestock, poultry and fisheries sectors. He also emphasized on the previous association of the University with ASCI regarding skill-based training. The various issues related to the previous ASCI training were also discussed in detail. Dr. P.S. Brar extended the vote of thanks.
ILDEX Indonesia 2023 – Pre-Register Now to Connect with the Global Leaders in the Livestock and Aquaculture Business this September!
[Jakarta, Indonesia] – ILDEX Indonesia is just one month away. Secure your participation to meet industry leaders by pre-registering today.
ILDEX Indonesia 2022 will be held from 20-22 September 2023 at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Jakarta, and it is confirmed by the industry that ILDEX is one of the most important trade & conference platforms for livestock, dairy, meat processing, and aquaculture exposition in Indonesia. This year – the show records more than 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, including industry giants like PT CHAROEN POKPHAND INDONESIA Tbk. and Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, who are ready to showcase their cutting-edge products and technologies.
Wide Range of Business Coverage : The show presents a diverse array of business profiles, including Farm Production showcasing state-of-the-art farms and sustainable agriculture; Feed Ingredient & Additives presenting innovations in animal nutrition; Consultancy & Association offering expert guidance; Animal Health focusing on well-being and disease prevention; FeedTech & CropTech unveiling cutting-edge technologies; Meat Processing demonstrating advancements in value addition; Breeding & Hatching highlighting genetic breakthroughs; Egg Processing & Handling showcasing efficient technologies; Waste Management addressing agricultural waste, and Dairy Farm sharing insights into modern practices and product innovations.
Ildex Indonesia 2023: Who to Meet
ILDEX Indonesia 2023 is far more than just an exhibition showcase; it presents a transformative journey that will revolutionize food production for our growing population. With top international players like Henan Lee Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd [China], Buhler (Changzhou) Machinery Co., Ltd [China], Agromed Austria GmbH [Australia], Petersime [Belgium], ABRA-Brazillian Renderers [Brazil], Jamesway Incubator [Canada], Breeder of Denmark [Denmark], NECTRA SAS [France], LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GMBH & CO KG [Germany], Dovoy Chemicals India Pvt Ltd. [India], Olmix Indonesia [Indonesia], Giordano Poultry Plast [Italy], Blue Aqua International Pte Ltd [Singapore], KSP Equipment Co., Ltd [Thailand], Siam Water Flame [Thailand], Hendrix Genetics [The Netherlands], Aytav Tavukculuk Ek. San. VE. TIC. LTD. STI. [Turkey], Aviagen Asia Pacific Ltd [USA], and the biggest players in Indonesia, PT CHAROEN POKPHAND INDONESIA Tbk. and Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, the event attracts global leaders in the industry. Join us to connect, form valuable partnerships, and gain insights into the latest industry trends that will shape the future of Livestock and Aquaculture.
Introducing the New Highlight Pavilions : “ILDEX Indonesia 2023: Embracing the Future with Meat Pro and Aquatica Asia Pavilions. Prepare to be immersed in the latest advancements in meat processing and packaging at the Meat Pro Pavilion, and dive deep into the world of the aquaculture business with intensive conferences at the Aquatica Asia Pavilion. Pre-register now and be part of this unparalleled showcase of innovation in the livestock and aquaculture industries.” – Mr. Supanat Triratphichan, Project Manager of ILDEX Indonesia
Meat Pro Pavilion : Meat Pro Pavilion is a new idea from Meat Pro Asia, the trade show in Bangkok. After we conducted research and found that meat processing and packaging are crucial factors for meat production, and can be further developed by using high technology and innovation, we are happy to present a processing machinery demonstration on the machine stage. Come to enjoy some meat with our experts during the show.
Aquatica Asia Conference : Aquatica Asia will be a strategic step towards creating a dedicated business platform to improve the production of fisheries within the aquaculture industry. In past years, organizers have worked to include the aquaculture segment in ILDEX Indonesia; however, the new event will help further highlight the industry for the existing show and industry professionals. Aquaculture is represented at the conference under the topic “Swimming Through Aquaculture Diseases: Challenges and Solutions with Emphasis on EMS, EHP, IMNV, and WFS” on Thu. 21 September at ILDEX Conference 3 (in hall) at the Aquatica Conference room.
Ildex Indonesia 2023: Conferences
Horti Agri Next: The Newest Highlight for Palm Sugar Producers : HAN Select INDONESIA is an international conference for the horticulture and agriculture industries, enabling intensive business connections and offering extensive educational and informative conference content, based on the market’s current needs and requests. HAN Select Indonesia will be held on Thu 21 September at Garuda Main Hall 2, ICE, with a full-day conference on the topic, “Maximizing the Marketing and Production of Process Palm Sugar in Indonesia,”
Don’t miss the chance to be at the forefront of innovation, knowledge, and collaboration. Register now and join us at ILDEX Indonesia 2023 to witness the future of THE livestock-agriculture unfold before your eyes. Don’t lose your business connections and find some more at ILDEX Indonesia 2023. Register now atwww.ildex-indonesia.com
TREATMENTS / VACCINATIONS & DRINKING WATER DISINFECTION continue to develop as farms modernize and comply with best practices.
A. Medication & Vaccination through Drinking Water (AL Animal health Line)
Among the treatments that can be administered via drinking water are :
curative / metaphylactic antibiotics, wormers, painkillers, anti-inflammatory (respect vet prescriptions),
vaccines,
vitamins, trace elements,
electrolytes (rehydration),
probiotics, prebiotics,
organic acids,
essential oils,
bacteriophages, etc.
Advantages of treating via drinking water:
Sick animals have a tendency for to eat less than they drink in order to compensate for dehydration, body temperature or stress.
Flexibility required for curative treatments (medicine doses & type + administration periods can be easily adjusted under veterinary control)
Easy & fast to implement when a problem is detected compared with the delays for production & delivery of medicine premixes.
The drinking water administration generally leads to significant antibiotic use reduction compared to the feed medication (in a growing number of countries the preventive medication usually administered via feed as nearly disappeared or is now prohibited such as in Europe since 2022)
Less risk of antibiotic cross-contamination with feed from the feed production unit to the farm.
Mass vaccination via water is also currently used within more or less 2 hours (time saving)
Please note that when administering medicines/vaccines via drinking water a number of rules should be observed (refer to Dosatron good practices training programs & tools for vaccination, medication, etc..)
How to choose the dosing pump for Medication / Vaccination:
Most of the hereunder criteria to respect are already listed in:
The European Medicine Agency 2020 recommendations – Article 106 (6) of Regulation (EU) 2019/6
The German Din Standard 10529-2
1. Check the minimum & maximum water flow of the dosing pump
low flow capability (5 or 10 l/h minimum) is a key factor as 70% of treatments & vaccinations are administered to young animals the very first days
high water flow capability is important for big numbers of animals & peak consumption periods
2. Check the minimum working water pressure & if the dosing precision is affected by pressure :
very important when using header tanks as a water source with low pressure.
some dosing technologies are injecting the treatment against the water pressure in the pipe (counter pressure). If the water pressure drops which often happen, these dosing technologies could over dose.
3. Select a maximum dosage (injection rate in %) high enough up to 4% or 5% :
to ensure a good solubility of oral powders (N°1 error in water medication) : most oral antibiotics belonging to tetracyclines, penicillins, sulfamides families & many powder supplements often requires a 4% or 5% dosing capability to insure the solubility into the stock solution of the dosing pump (more water in the stock solution tank)
a good solubility in the tank means no pump or drinkers clogging & no concentration variation from the tank to the drinkers > the only way to be sure that all animals have a permanent access to the right dose of medicine (knowing that animals only drink for a few minutes a day, at random)
water pipe sanitation after depopulation requires sometime disinfectants/ biocides dosed at 3% to have a real bactericide/ virucide effect & to remove the biofilms
high dosing % means a stock solution more diluted with less medicine residues or expensive doses of vaccine wasted at the end of the tank
4. Select a dosing pump with a long lifespan + an easy & cost effective maintenance
change seals / wearing parts when recommended
don’t forget to rinse the dosing pump and the drinking system injecting water after every treatment
5. Select a dosing pump with sufficient in-line dosing and mixing capacity (water + treatment)
to avoid significant variations in treatment/vaccine dose at drinking troughs (given that animals only drink for a few minutes a day, with a highly variable time spent at the drinker at each visit).
To answer frequent water Medication/Vaccination extreme situations Dosatron SAS has launched the DIA4 AL Diaphragm dosing technology (AL: Animal health Line)
Ability to operate at the lowest water flows
(ideal to treat animals from the very first days & small groups)
The only pump compatible with heavy load of minerals into water (iron, manganese, hard water)
The longest pump motor lifespan thanks to the motor diaphragm
(no motor piston or water meter wearing / best return on investment per m3 of treated water)
The least expensive motor maintenance
(2 motor mechanism part to replace only)
A high dosage capability up to 4%
(to ensure the solubility of most oral powders)
External injection of the additive to protect the motor
B. Disinfection of Drinking Water (WL Water Line):
Among the biocides that can be administered via drinking water are :
Alkaline biocides requiring a minimum contact time (dosage before a buffer tank)
• Sodium Hypochlorite – NaClO
• Calcium Hypochlorite – Ca(ClO)₂
Acidic biocides with short contact time (dosage possible before the drinkers)
• Hydrogen Peroxide – H202
• Chlorine Dioxide – Cl02 (up to 2000 ppm max into the stock solution)
• Sodium Troclosene tablets – NaDCC
• Peracetic Acid – CH3COOOH
In general,
Acidic biocides with a short contact time can also be dosed just before the drinking system (just before the Medication/Vaccination dosing pump)
Alkaline biocides such as traditional hypochlorite (bleach) with a longer contact time should be administered before the water tank to ensure a minimum contact time.
Note :
Always analyze your water quality (bacteriological & physico-chemical analysis) twice a year & regularly check the residual biocide level at the end of the drinking line.
Warning regarding vaccinations : Don’t forget to stop water disinfection before any vaccination via drinking water (use the existing inhibitors such as Sodium thiosulfate for chlorine or sodium bisulfite for hydrogen peroxide with blue die / Never use skim milk powder with dosing pumps)
To answer the Water Disinfection needs Dosatron SAS has launched the new dosing pumps D3WL3000 or D8WL3000 (WL: Water Line)
Very low dosing capability with a minimum dosage at 0.03%
(to be able to prepare a lower volume stock solution of biocide for 1 to 3 weeks water disinfection 24/7)
Longer motor lifespan
(Cost effective > no need to change the complete motor when worn > just replace piston rings & 1 spring)
Easy onsite maintenance with no tool
(please refer to Dosatron maintenance videos)
Low number of motor parts with high chemical resistance materials
(no metal part corrosion)
Self-priming + no need of an Off-gassing head option on the dosing pump for biocides such as Hydrogen peroxide
(oxygen gas release leads to problems with other technologies)
No electricity shortage or surge risk
(Dosatron is a hydraulic / mechanical dosing technology with an easy onsite maintenance)
The gut microbiome is essential for the health and productivity of chickens. It provides nutrients from dietary substrates that would otherwise go unused, and it modulates the development and function of the digestive and immune systems. The diversity of the chicken GI microbiota is influenced by the age of the birds, location in the digestive tract, and diet. The gastrointestinal compartments of chickens are densely populated with complex microbial communities (Bacteria, fungi, Archaea, protozoa, and virus) that are dominated by Bacteria (Wei et al., 2013). Bacteria dominate the gastrointestinal compartments, with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria accounting for most (> 90%) of the intestinal bacteria (Wei et al., 2013 and Pan and Yu, 2014).
Commensal microbiota stimulates the development of the immune system and produces energy and nutrients, such as vitamins, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids, from undigested feed that eventually becomes available for the host. The gut microbiota also contributes to the metabolism of host nitrogenous compounds to produce amino acids, such as glutamine (Shang et al., 2018). Gut microbiota affects feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, apparent metabolizable energy, residual feed intake, and time taken to attain the desired weight, which have a direct influence on the health and productivity of chickens (Iqbal et al., 2020).
However, factors like the environment, feed, heat stress, and housing conditions can cause detrimental changes in the gut resulting in poor health of birds and decreased production performance (Iqbal et al., 2020). When the normal gut microbiota deviates, “Dysbiosis” occurs, which refers to qualitative or quantitative imbalances of microbial populations from normal proportions in the gut (Teirlynck et al., 2011).
Polyphenols can be used to improve gut health due to their established health benefits and strong antioxidant potential. The gut microbiota-polyphenol interactions are vital in their effects on the gut microbiota modulation. It affects not only the composition of gut bacteria but also improves the bioavailability of polyphenols by generating more bioactive metabolites that enhance their health effects on the morphology and composition of the gut microbiota (Iqbal et al., 2020). Plant additives, such as phytogenic feed additives, can improve the absorption, use, and absorption of valuable nutrients and stimulate the immune system. They often improve palatability and feed conversion, leading to improved efficiency of poultry rearing (Windisch et al., 2008).
STODI is a Standardized Polyherbal Formulation of several Indian medicinal plants traditionally known and used for gut health, and it contains fruit rinds of Punica granatum, aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata, bark of Acacia nilotica, fruits of Terminalia bellirica, and bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica. In research, STODI in the diet of broilers produced a shift in the caecal microbiota conducive to gut health and better performance characteristics. STODI caused a favourable improvement in Firmicutes, Clostridiales, and Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. This improvement led to better utilization of carbohydrates and the production of SCFAs that contributed to energy production and gut health (Marimuthu et al., 2019).
In conclusion, polyherbal formulations can facilitate a balanced F:B ratio, promoting gut health and overall performance in poultry. By using herbs with complementary pharmacological properties, polyherbal formulations can provide a broad spectrum of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. The use of polyherbal formulations in poultry production can reduce the need for antibiotics and other interventions while promoting sustainable and responsible production practices.
References
• Pan, D. and Yu, Z., 2014. Intestinal microbiome of poultry and its interaction with host and diet. Gut microbes, 5(1), pp.108-119.
• Wei S, Morrison M, Yu Z. Bacterial census of poultry intestinal microbiome. Poult Sci Sympos. (2013) 92:671–83.
• Shang, Y., Kumar, S., Oakley, B. and Kim, W.K., 2018. Chicken gut microbiota: importance and detection technology. Frontiers in veterinary science, 5, p.254.
• Teirlynck E., Gussem M.D.E., Dewulf J., Haesebrouck F., Ducatelle R., Van Immerseel F. Morphometric evaluation of “dysbacteriosis” in broilers. Avian Pathol. 2011
• Iqbal, Y., Cottrell, J.J., Suleria, H.A. and Dunshea, F.R., 2020. Gut microbiota-polyphenol interactions in chicken: A review. Animals, 10(8), p.1391.
• Windisch W, Schedle K, Plitzner C. Kroismayr A: Use of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. Journal of Animal Science. 2008;86:140-148.
• Marimuthu, S.K., Balasubramanian, B., Selvam, R. and D’Souza, P., 2019. Modulation of chicken cecal microbiota by a phytogenic feed additive, Stodi®: a metagenomic analysis. Pharmacognosy Research, 11(3).
Water for poultry must be regarded as an essential nutrient
Water is one of the most essential nutrients for poultry, Water is a critical, but often overlooked nutrient. Animals can survive longer without food than they can without water. Water is involved in every aspect of animal metabolism.
(author)
Water plays an important role in regulating body temperature, digesting food, and eliminating wastes. Accounting for up to 70% of their body weight. Adequate access to clean, fresh water is crucial for maintaining the health, welfare, and productivity of poultry. In this article, we’ll explore the water requirements of poultry and the factors that affect their water consumption.
Water is a critical nutrient that receives little attention until a problem arises.
Other words, it is the cheapest nutrient for poultry having very expensive implications if not handled properly.
Apart from its nutritive aspect, it is also used to reduce air temperature by way of evaporative cooling and fogging during summer season and to clean and sanitize the facility.
Water Requirements of Poultry
Poultry require a consistent and sufficient supply of water to meet their physiological needs, such as hydration, thermoregulation, digestion, and waste excretion. The water intake of poultry can vary depending on several factors, including their age, breed, sex, size, feed intake, environmental conditions, and production stage.
The physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of water is of fundamental importance for poultry. Unless the quality of supplied drinking water to poultry is guaranteed, achieving the growth and feed efficiency potential provided by intensive genetic selection, ideal grow-out environments and optimal nutrition program becomes a challenge.
Birds can survive for weeks without feed, but they can only survive for days without water.
Starved birds may lose all their fat, about half of their protein, and about 40% of their body weight and still survive, but a 10% to 20% loss of their body water will result in death.
Thus birds can survive much longer without feed than without water. Maintaining drinking water quality for poultry is the most important activity as birds consume water at twice the level of feed, but it is one of the most ignored nutrients by the farmers. The drinking water plays an important role in the transmission of most common bacterial, viral, and protozoan diseases.
Chicks require more water per unit of body weight than adult birds, as they have a higher metabolic rate and a lower ability to conserve water. Broilers and layers have different water requirements due to their different growth rates and production stages. For example, broilers may consume up to twice as much water as layers during the starter phase, while layers may consume more water during the egg-laying phase.
Factors Affecting Poultry Water Consumption
Several factors can affect the water consumption of poultry, including:
1. Feed intake: Poultry birds may increase their water intake in response to increased feed intake, as water is essential for digestion and nutrient absorption.
2. Environmental conditions: Poultry birds may increase their water intake in hot and humid conditions to regulate their body temperature through evaporative cooling. Any water temperature below the body temperature of the bird will be beneficial during heat stress conditions. The water consumed will help to dissipate body heat.
3. Water quality: Poultry birds may decrease their water intake if the water is contaminated or contains high levels of minerals or contaminants, such as chlorine, ammonia, bacterial, viral contaminations. Several factors influence water quality, including the colour, taste, and odour of water, as well as the presence of bacteria or other microbes, the levels of minerals, and other chemical and physical factors. Poor water quality can retard growth, reduce egg production, or produce lower egg quality.
4. Water accessibility: Poultry birds may decrease their water intake if they have limited access to water or if the water system is dirty, empty, or malfunctioning.
5. Production stage: Poultry may increase their water intake during certain production stages, such as egg-laying, to meet their physiological needs. Improves H.H eggs by decreasing soft shelled eggs plus broken eggs% (Less porosity)
From the physiological perspective, water consumed by the bird is used for,
Passage of feed through the digestive system
Digestion and absorption of nutrients
Transportation of absorbed nutrients to different organs
Facilitate enzymatic and chemical reactions in the body
Elimination of waste and toxic substances through kidneys
Body temperature regulation
Lubrication of joints and organs
Water Management in Poultry
To ensure that poultry have adequate access to clean and fresh water, poultry farmers need to implement proper water management practices.
These may include:
1. Water quality monitoring: Poultry farmers should regularly test the quality of their water sources for contaminants, minerals, pH levels, and other parameters that can affect water consumption and bird health. Superior quality water is very important for better digestion and to create a healthy gut flora, which will help the bird to absorb all the nutrients.
2. Water sanitation: Poultry farmers should regularly clean and sanitize their waterers, pipes, and other equipment to prevent bacterial growth and disease transmission. Drinking water sanitation is necessary to remove pathogens and provide quality water to poultry. Farmers are using different types of sanitizers in drinking water like Chlorine, Chlorine dioxide, Hydrogen peroxide, Ozone, UV etc. Unfortunately, microbes are becoming resistant to sanitizers due to improper usage.
3. Water accessibility: Poultry farmers should ensure that their birds have easy and constant access to water, with enough waterers and adequate water flow to meet their water requirements.
4. Water temperature: Poultry farmers should maintain the water temperature between 10°C and 28°C to promote better water intake and reduce heat stress.
A GUIDE FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR POULTRY
• *Iron as high as 660 ppm has been shown to not affect bird health, but it will have detrimental effects on water lines and fogging systems (Fairchild et al., 2005). • **Manganese as high as 20 ppm has been reported to not affect bird health, but it can have negative effects on water lines and fogging systems (Batal et al., 2005). • ***Nitrates as high as 600 ppm have been shown to not affect bird health (unpublished data).
Many of the water quality standards for poultry drinking water were originally developed from those for human drinking water.
Few of the standards recommended today are based on research utilizing broiler or layers.
It should be noted that the water lines were thoroughly flushed between studies and that particulates that result from high Fe and Mn levels can lead to equipment problems such as leaky nipples and clogged fogging nozzles.
When birds are experiencing problems such as feed passage or poor feed conversion, however, broiler performance is more likely to be affected by improper equipment function rather than bird health due to high concentrations of these substances.
Poor water quality can lead to increased microbial growth and biofilm build up.
WATER MANAGEMENT TIPS
Conduct water tests
Each farm should have its water tested. Water quality can change during periods of heavy rain or drought, and additional water tests during these periods will ensure that water lines continue to deliver adequate water volume for both the birds and the cooling systems.
Change filters regularly
Sediment and other particulates can cause leaky water nipples that can have negative effects on litter quality.
Clogged filters restrict water flow to the drinker and cooling systems.
In some cases, simple cartridge filters may not be adequate, such as for water with high iron. In those cases, consider other water treatments.
Flush water lines regularly
Perform a high pressure flush on water lines between each flock and after adding supplements through the medicator (i.e., vaccine, medications, vitamins, electrolytes, etc.).
Plan ahead before treating water
Before implementing water treatment or sanitation programs, consult your Technical services person to be sure contaminants in your water will not react negatively and cause the water system to become clogged.
In conclusion, water is a critical nutrient for poultry, and proper water management is essential for maintaining their health and productivity. By understanding the water requirements of poultry and the factors that affect their water consumption, poultry farmers can ensure that their birds have access to clean, fresh, and adequate water, promoting optimal growth and performance.
About the author
Mr. Vasanth Rao Attanti is a focused Business Development Manager/Strategist with over 27 years of experience in all segments of Poultry from Breeding Farms, Layer Farming, Broiler Farming, Medicine Manufacturing, Water Treatment and Poultry Health Management.
Focussed on the Implementation of processes in Water Quality Management and Treatment in Poultry Farms for over 6 years.
Had a short journey in 3 start-up’s which helped me understand the value of time and execution.
Exposure to fintech, Banking technologies ,Social network market place and Last mile trade helped him understand the dynamics of tier 2 and tier 3 marketplaces.
A Proven track record of implementing the necessary business development strategies for the last mile and tier 2 cities to accomplish breakthrough sales objectives while creating unique market entry strategies, managing business relationships, building credibility and establishing rapport with potential clients.
Poultry Industry is a very dynamic Industry and has its ups and downs. While there are commercial / manufacturing challenges, one big challenge faced by many Poultry organizations are Retaining its HiPo (High-Potential) employees. In the previous part, we had discussed about the backdrop of Employee Retention. We had also discussed about:
What are the Macro signs of disengagement / unhappy employee?
Why do people leave organisations?
What make an employee tick / stay in the organisation?
Going ahead from there, in this concluding part, we will talk about other crucial aspects of
When should the organization, use tools / techniques of retention?
What are the tested methods of Employee Retention?? And finally
The big question – Whether Employee Retention to be considered as Strategy or Operation?
When should the organization use tools / techniques of retention?
Many HR Heads / Managers make the mistake of using the tools / techniques of retention, just when the employee has put in their papers. In general, the typical process is employee puts in papers ➔ HOD sends the papers with recommendations to the HR Department ➔ HR Manager takes Exit Interview and tries to find the reason of leaving ➔ HR Manager submits report with counter offers ➔ Management approves the offer ➔ HR Manager offers the counter offer to the employee ➔ Employee either takes it OR leaves.
However, the above process is very pathetic and unprofessional. In fact, Retention technique should start right at the beginning, when the employee joins the organization – Hire to Retire, should be the concept. The organization should take care in designing a robust induction program, a meaty job description, definite career path, T&D opportunities, Project possibilities, compensation & benefit plan in line with current CompBen trends, etc. etc. The organization should start taking STAY INTERVIEWS rather than EXIT INTERVIEWS. The organization should also design efficient Employee Engagement Programs, with a sole aim to attract and retain people. The bottom line is that the Retention plan to start during recruitment and if that bus is missed, the plan should start at the nearest point of sensing that the HiPo (High Potential) is worthy of retention.
What are the tested methods of Retention?
Further to the aspects of retention provided in the section “What make an employee tick / stay in the organisation?”, a detailed action plan is provided to retain and engage talent. Organizations need to do more than increase payroll and expand benefits. Organizations need to consider employees’ life-stage needs and values. In its endeavour, the organization should consider the following methods, which are to be used as per need / relevance / occasion:
Leadership Style of Reporting Manager: Many companies go extra-length to train their new people Managers and/or re-train their existing people managers to learn tips / tricks of managing their people – efficiently, effectively, compassionately, empathetically, truly and without any bias / pre-conceived notions. For all DIY enthusiasts, there are plethora of Management books available in hardcopies or online which are as effective. As you know, the proof of the pudding, is in its eating. So, apply all gathered knowledge in your day-to-day work. When you are a good manager, you will have a good team and both will enjoy a long fruitful career.
Work Culture: The organization should take extreme care and professional help to inculcate work culture. The work culture should be transparent and relatable. People should bask in the sunshine of this culture and lead a happy professional life. For this, the Management needs to inculcate the shared Value System, Company Philosophy and Management Styles, which should be unique to the organization and its line of business. Efforts need to be made that people should live the values, love the business and execute with excellence.
Empathy: The Management should empathize with its employees and support / cooperate with them, considering their life stages (and its responsibilities connected with it). This is one of the most effective retention tools. A timely support in terms of listening to their concerns, a few caring words, providing time to meet contingencies, extending financial support at time of need, providing out-of-the-way facilities, etc are just few examples. Trust me, this goes a long way.
Appreciation: Nothing works better than a simple note as “Congratulations on the job well done!!” “Keep up the good work going!!!” “We knew with your kind of talent and competency; you will successfully complete this project – in time. Way to Go!!!!”. These simple notes make the employee feel valued and take pride in their work. Organizations can make a Rewards & Recognition program to motivate and engage employees.
Work itself: The Organizations should provide to each employee, “a life – size job”, which should be fulfilling, satisfying and which provides a compelling future. It should keep its antennae up – to detect signs of burn-out or rust-out. Should keep an extra eye on work stress and provide avenues for work-life balance.
Management Support: The Management should encourage risk taking amongst employees to stretch and reach new milestones. However, caution should be taken that Mistakes should not be punished and Blunders should not be spared.
Employee Feedback: When Employees talk – The Organizations should listen (with interest). Even to the non-verbal communication. Employees have lot of feedback to give, probably about themselves, about company policies & procedures, business plans or simply pointing fingers at the things which are going wrong. The Organizations should take good notes of this feedback and make a genuine effort to address such feedback. It will be good for both the organization as well as the employee. Be cautious and don’t kill the messenger (read as Whistle Blower).
Communication: It is one of the best tools to inform the employees about each and everything about the organization – strategies, business plans, happenings, events, etc. The organization should open communication channels – BOTH WAYS. Through discussions and open communication, many problems are easily resolved. Having Townhalls works the best, instead of memos, bulletins, handouts, etc.
Employee Empowerment: It’s an addiction. Once employees feels that they are empowered to take certain decisions, they will do responsibly well in their jobs. The Management should give them more authority via self-managed work teams where employees can take turns leading, developing new products and have more decision-making opportunities. The key here is “Decision making at the nearest point of action”.
CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility or popularly known as CSR. It is a good concept to introduce in the organization and take employees out of their routine to explore and contribute to society. It works as a morale booster and gives ultimate satisfaction to employees. Employee will feel that they have contributed and added value to the society and in turn, the organization will also get mileage out of this social work. One of the most sought after, Employee Engagement tools.
Learning: Employees want to learn, work, earn and re-learn. Work and Earn are connected and very much expected. It is the Learning that they look forward to. “What is the new thing that this organization is going to teach” or “What new skill or area of work that I will be learning?” This seems to be the question. If the employees learn, while they work, they are more likely to stay.
Exposure to Higher Management: Employees need to meet and exchange notes with the Managing Director / CEO or the Board of Management, perhaps, once in a quarter. The Employees will feel privileged & valued to meet and express their thoughts to the Management.
Diversity & Inclusion: These are being spoken in hushed tones as to what the Organizations are doing to understand, accept and value employees with diverse background, caste, religion, physical appearances, geographical backgrounds etc. Also, how employees’ inclusions are collaborated, supported and respected. An Organization with higher D&I will have more engaged employees and less attrition.
Compensation & Benefits: Finally, Money is a great Motivator. The organization should see that the Comp & Benefits plans are in sync with the industry trends. The benchmark should be with organizations that fall between 50% – 75% of the industry, at least. Anything < 50% should be looked into.
Whether Employee Retention to be considered as Strategy or Operation?
Retention of employees is both a STRATEGY and an OPERATION. It is a cyclic process. The Organization should formulate STRATEGY first and equip all Managers with the tools / techniques, decision making powers & train them to detect early signs of employee attrition. Once the strategy is in place, then the next move is to convert that strategy into a policy and a process – to make it operational at the ground level. Over a certain period, the operation has to be reviewed to modify or amend or change the Strategy of retention. Remember – STRATEGY drives OPERATIONS and OPERATIONS drive STRATEGY.
Managing employee retention is a serious, tough and satisfying activity in a Manager’s role. Many organizations are linking their increment by attaching Retention as one of their Key Result Areas (KRAs). It is, now, not uncommon to see Retention as one of the key items in organizations’ Balance Scorecards. Retention is not solely an HR’s job. It is everybody’s job who have people responsibilities.
In conclusion, every Man-Manager should realize and treat PEOPLE as PEOPLE. People are very fragile and can be broken with one single inhuman act. Thereafter, no matter what one does, the employee will not come back to their original form. Managers should understand that people get motivated by their work and work environment. Most importantly, Managers should realize that people need to be trusted, respected, loved, admired, challenged, rewarded and appreciated for what they are. These are basics and key to employee retention.
About the Author:
Trideep Chowdhury is an astute Human Resources Management professional with extensive experience of over 3 decades working in Companies viz. Provimi India/Cargill Inc., ITC Limited, Intervet/Schering Plough, Voith India, etc. He had been in the Board of Directors for Provimi India (a Cargill Inc. Company) for many years. Some of the sectors served by him are Manufacturing, Process, Pharma, Engineering and Consulting. He had worked with MNCs in most of his career and had rich Regional (Asia) & Global project experiences. Currently he runs his own firm, Invictus HRM Consulting. He could be contacted at trideep2000@yahoo.com orinvictus.hrm@yahoo.com
Animal feed serves a critical role in the global food sector by enabling cost-effective manufacturing of animal proteins all over the world. Feed is the most important and most significant component in providing safe, abundant, and economical animal proteins.
It is well known that the Indian animal feed market can be summarised into three basic categories: poultry feed, aqua feed and cattle feed. The poultry feed market has dominated the animal feed sector, accounting for over 44% of the global market.
Mr. Deepak Bhandari Managing Director – RKBFM
The manufacturing process of animal feed can be divided into various stages, with specialised feed processing equipment available at each stage. In this particular article we will discuss about animal feed grinding and feed particle size which is the initial stage of animal feed manufacturing.
Feed particle size is one of the most overlooked aspects of poultry production.
Animal feed grinding can be broadly categorized in two major categories:-
Coarse grinding – generally used in poultry feed
Fine grinding – generally used in aqua feed
Though the basic principle of grinding is the same in all types of feed grinding, some of the process parameters, equipment design, etc. get changed as per the category.
Though it has been hypothesised that finer grinding increases substrate availability for enzymatic digestion, there is evidence that coarser grinding to a more uniform particle size improves the performance of the birds kept on mash or on pellet.
In this article, we cover coarse grinding, grinding equipment, their specific features & engineering data of poultry feed grinding.
COARSE GRINDING
Particle size is an important factor that determines feed efficiency and gut health in poultry. Generally, the mash particle size which gets pass through 2.5 mm (& more) hole perforated sieve, is considered as coarse grinding.
Coarse particles stimulate gizzard development, and a well-developed gizzard improves energy utilisation and the digestibility of nutrients and lowers the pH value of the digested material. Coarse grinding also saves energy and time in the grinding process. On the other hand, it is well known that pelleting reduces the size of the microparticles that make up the pellets, but coarser grinding prior to pelleting is expected to increase the proportion of coarse particles in the pellets to some extent, which will promote stomach development.
GRINDING UNIT OF THE FEED MILL
To achieve effective grinding, a hammer mill alone is not sufficient. The supporting system has a great role in achieving the best throughput from the hammer mill. It is common practice to refer to the grinding unit as a hammer mill alone, but it is the entire grinding station comprise of:
a) Hammer mill
b) Aspiration unit
c) Plenum chamber
Some elaboration along with engineering data and parameters on the above component of grinding station is as follows:
• a) Hammer mill: A hammer mill is one of the key machines of feed mill. Optimum throughput and perfect particle size are the two factors that define the quality of hammer mill operation. A hammer mill should be designed & manufactured with the utmost care and the following points should be maintained:
(Figure 1: Double hole concept)
Sturdy, Heavy-weight base for minimising vibration.
Sliding or rotating doors for better accessibility of the rotor.
Doors with door safety switches & zero speed sensors to avoid any human accident.
A specially designed rotor having plug – in / plug – out type beater holding arm assembly.
Double hole concept (dual hammer position) in rotor plates for increasing/decreasing the distance between beater and sieve as per the requirement of fineness of powder.
Sieve perforation: For poultry feed milling, 2.5/3.0/3.5 mm perforations are being used in the industry depending upon the raw material used.
Hammer mill beater – A hammer mill beater’s function is to smash and grind materials that are supplied into the hammer mill. The beaters strike the material as the shaft rotates, breaking it down into smaller particles. The hammer mill beater is the most significant component because it performs the majority of the grinding operation.
(Fig. 2 Beater treatment vs wearing effect)
Hammer mill rotor speed – Unlike previous type of power transmission through belt-pulley arrangement, now a days direct drive through coupling is the preferred design.
For poultry feed milling, Hammer mills directly coupled with high rpm (2600-3000) motor with smaller diameter rotor and hammer mills directly coupled with Low rpm (1200-1500) motor with larger diameter rotor (to keep the same tip speed) are being used. VFD operated mill can be used to run the motor at lower rpm.
b) Aspiration unit: The right kind of aspiration unit with a sufficiently large plenum chamber is the back bone of the grinding station. The effectiveness of the aspiration unit ensures the cleaning of perforations of the hammer mill Sieve, which is directly proportional to get more output from hammer mill, less jamming & better current control of hammer mill motor.
Design of aspiration system needs the following factors:
Size of the blower (Air flow rate and air pressure)
Surface area of the filtering media
Following is the engineering data on the above
a) Airflow through hammer mill screen – 8300 to 8500 m3/hr per square meter of screen area.
b) Differential air pressure across the system – 300 to 500 mm water column.
c) Surface area of the filtering media – 120 to 130 m3/hr of air per square meter cloth.
(Fig. 3: Grinding Process Flow Diagram)
c) Plenum chamber: Generally, least importance is given to volume of the plenum chamber and consider it a transition piece. The size of the plenum chamber should be large enough to provide space for air circulation generated by hammer mill rotor. In absence of the space for air circulation, the air gets trapped in the grinding chamber. It may cause the hindrance in letting the raw material into the grinding chamber from the hammer mill feeder or overloading the filtering media, resulting in increase in pressure drop across the system.
We at RKBFM are putting our constant efforts to improve the design of the feed mill machines. We are attempting to share what we know and have gained over the course of more than 25 years of experience.
We welcome and appreciate if you can send us the topics of your interests. We will try to include your requests in future publications. You may send your topic suggestions at info@Poultrytrends.in
In our next article, we will briefly discuss the next step of animal feed manufacturing process.
Since inception, RKBFM has been continuously contributing towards the development of innovative designs thus generating lasting value for its clients. We possess the capability to deliver a wide range of animal feed, wood and biomass pellet plants and our experience of over 25 years in this field enable us to manufacture top quality products. Over the years, we have expanded our reach across the world including Nigeria, Malawi, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya in African region for feed plant, machines and its spares.
We commit ourselves to provide the best solutions in design, manufacturing and supply of world class feed plants, machinery and spares by leveraging our expertise, proprietary information and ingenuity to enhance the business performance of our clients. At RKBFM we value the unique requirements of every client and thus believing in investing time in understanding the client’s needs.
To know more about us, you can visit our websitewww.rkbfm.com
Author: Mr. Deepak Bhandari, Managing Director – RKBFM
The poultry industry is a significant sector of global agriculture, with the market growing significantly from $352.02 billion in 2022 to $378.84 billion in 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% (The Business Research Company, 2023).
Unfortunately, poultry raised for commercial purposes are susceptible to a variety of environmental pathogen exposures (Sharma, 1999). There is nonetheless optimism because specific dietary treatments can have a significant impact on immunological function (Poultry World, 2019). The immune system in birds and other vertebrates is made up of two complementary parts, called the innate and adaptive systems, that cooperate to identify and defend against pathogens (Poultry World, 2019).
Gut immunity
The intestine is crucial for the absorption of nutrients, the tolerance of benign and helpful microorganisms, and the capacity to react appropriately to harmful microbes or microbial products while preventing their translocation to more sterile body compartments. The mucus layer(s), antimicrobial peptides, and IgA, which serves as the first line of defence, are a few elements that contribute to antimicrobial defences in the colon (Broom and Kogut, 2018).
In the intestine of monogastric animals like poultry, there is a complex system of submucosal and mucosal lymphatic tissue known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). As it is exposed to the microflora from both feed and the environment, GALT has a crucial role in regulating the occurrence of poultry enteric illnesses through its immune capabilities (Talkad et al., 2019). The distinct GALT features include Meckel’s diverticulum, Peyer’s patches, lymphoid clusters inside the lamina propria, and cecal tonsils. GALT includes 75% of all lymphoid cells in the body, and of these, the gut produces 50% of lymphocytes and about 80% of all immunoglobulins (Ig). The distinguishing characteristic of the GALT system is the synthesis of IgA antibodies produced on the mucosal surface (Talkad et al., 2019).
STODI in gut immunity To improve poultry’s immune system, there is a need to enhance gut immunity. STODI, a polyherbal formulation with major bioactive compounds include andrographolides, catechins, ellagitannins, punicalagin, and other polyphenols are responsible for better immunity by increasing the surface area of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
In a study by Talkad et al. (2019) on broiler chicks (Ross 308), when supplemented with STODI (750 g/ton), it significantly increased the GALT area (μm2) of the lamina propria of the ileum and Meckel’s diverticulum. Study has shown 96% increase surface area of GALT over negative control in ileum and 86% increase surface area of GALT over negative control in Meckel’s diverticulum. The surface area of the GALT plays a crucial role in its ability to mount an effective immune response. The larger the surface area, the more immune cells and antibodies can be produced, leading to better protection against infections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the poultry industry is a significant sector of world agriculture, and the gut immunity of commercial birds can be enhanced through certain nutritional interventions, including the use of polyherbal formulations such as STODI. By increasing the surface area of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, STODI can improve the immune system of poultry and help control the incidence of enteric disorders.
References
• Sharma, J.M., 1999. Introduction to poultry vaccines and immunity. Advances in veterinary medicine, 41, pp.481-494.
• https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/poultry-global-market-report
• https://www.poultryworld.net/health-nutrition/avian-immunity-101-the-basics/
• Broom, L.J. and Kogut, M.H., 2018. Gut immunity: its development and reasons and opportunities for modulation in monogastric production animals. Animal health research reviews, 19(1), pp.46-52
• Talkad, M.S., D’souza, P. and Marimuthu, S., 2019. Small intestinal gut-associated lymphoid tissue histomorphometry analysis in broilers supplemented with Stodi®. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 7(5), pp.141-145
In one of the panel discussions on ‘Animal Health for One Health Management’, Dr Arun Atrey, MD & CEO, Zenex Animal Health joined as panelist. Other panelist in session were Dr Praveen Malik, CEO, Agriinnovate, Mr Stanely Fenwick, Technical Lead for One Health, Mott Macdonald, Dr A Sahoo, Director, NRC Camel, ICAR and Dr Avinash Anand, CEO &MD, Sheep & wool Dev Board. The session addressed various initiatives of Govt., industry and other organizations for creating awareness and implementation of One Health.
Ability to operate at the lowest water flows
Very low dosing capability with a minimum dosage at 0.03%
Gut immunity
